Norfolk Good for Good Skills Exchange

John Allison MRICS

East of England Board Member

15 October 2024

Norfolk Skills Exchange enables voluntary and community groups in Norfolk with the greatest need to access a variety of professional support pro bono.  These groups can then focus their resources on delivering frontline services and supporting people in need.

The Skills Exchange was established over two decades ago, but recently the programme has been taken on by local independent charity Norfolk Community Foundation. The Skills Exchange is part of the foundation’s Good for Good programme, which helps businesses deliver social impact and fulfil their ESG commitments.

My company has been providing pro bono services to the exchange for some years now.  In common with many surveyors, we receive requests for assistance from various community organisations and charities.  The particular benefit of volunteering professional services via the exchange is that the organisations seeking help are pre-vetted to ensure they are genuine good causes.  The Skills Exchange also recognises that there is a limit to the amount of time that professionals can commit to pro bono work, and only put you forward for opportunities that are consistent with your time constraints.

We have enjoyed meeting the people we have helped and hearing about their activities and plans.  A recent article in the Guardian highlights how helping others can have significant physical and mental benefits.  The Skills Exchange is one way of enjoying the wellbeing rewards of doing your bit and giving back to wider society.

The Skills Exchange team suggest their own tangible benefits for joining up:

1. Providing a source of quality pro bono opportunities for staff to develop and sharpen their skills in a different environment (which can sometimes lead to paid work).
2. Enabling you to support the voluntary and community groups with the greatest need, embedding your company in your community.
3. Giving you the opportunity to network and work collaboratively with other professionals who are committed to making a difference.
4. Providing PR opportunities through case studies on their website and promotion in local and digital media.
5. Enhancing your company’s awareness of social issues that impact on your business and the local community.

Before volunteering your services, it is important to confirm that your Professional Indemnity Insurer will cover such work.

If you would like to support the Norfolk Skills Exchange Scheme, please get in touch with Lauren Birch (LaurenBirch@norfolkfoundation.com; 01603 623958)

More information about the scheme can be found via these links:

Norfolk Community Foundation Good for Good initiative

https://www.norfolkfoundation.com/good-for-good/

Norfolk Skills Exchange

https://www.norfolkfoundation.com/good-for-good/join-skills-exchange/

Guardian article

https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jun/16/wellbeing-selfcare-other-care-psychology-social